E.—s

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EEPORTS OF TECHNICAL SCHOOLS AND CLASSES. AUCKLAND TECHNICAL SCHOOL ASSOCIATION. 1, Durham Street E., 29th March, 1900. Youb Council beg to present the following report for the year ended the 31st December last :■ — Owing to the Auckland Industrial and Mining Exhibition, 1898-99, continuing open during February last, it was deemed advisable to delay the beginning of the first school-term until the 20th of that month. The attendances during the first term did not compare favourably with previous years, and in consequence several classes were either not commenced, or were, after the third week, discontinued for the time being. Some changes in the personnel of the staff were made during the earlier part of the year, and may be stated as follows: Mr. Bruce, Instructor of Carpentry, having received an appointment in Melbourne, was succeeded by Mr. Thomas May, who has had considerable practical experience both in England and in the colony. Mr. Thomas England was appointed Instructor in Graining and Marbling, and Sfgnwriting, in place of Mr. Charles Blomfield. Mr. A. V. Nightingale, Woodcarver, replaced Mr. William Batts. Mr. J. A. Paterson, Instructor in Mechanical Drawing, &c, having left the colony, other arrangements were made for carrying on the instruction of the class named. The attendances during the year generally have been satisfactory compared with preceding year. By special arrangements made with certain instructors, by way of amalgamating kindred classes, the proportion of expenses incurred to receipts by fees, &c, has been considerably reduced, without in any way impairing • the efficiency of the instruction provided for in the present syllabus. Though this be so, it is fully realised that, in order to provide instruction of a more advanced character, and for the addition to the syllabus of other subjects which are really necessary and frequently inquired for, the revenue of the school must be augmented, so as to make possible the extensions that are so evidently required. The appeal to the public for subscriptions to the school has for several years been so futile that a formal canvass has been abandoned. Though fairly good results were obtained from this source daring the first two years of the school's establishment, when the Government contributed pound-for-pound subsidy, the withdrawal of that subsidy has had a damaging effect upon subscriptions. Efforts have been made on several occasions to induce the Government to revive the subsidy, but without avail. Thus it is that, beside the capitation earned upon average attendance of students, the association at the outset was left dependent upon the annual grant of £100 to supplement the fees received. During the year the Government intimated that even this sum would be reduced to £50, in view of the larger claims made by the increasing number of technical schools upon the £2,000 provided for the purpose. But we are pleased to add that our Auckland members of Parliament were successful in having the full amount (£100) reinstated, and also a further £50, which was necessary for the association to meet the obligations of the year. By similar efforts a sum of £300 has been promised by the Government for the year 1900. This latter sum will insure the continuation of the school for another twelve months, yet it only temporarily disposes of the difficulty that has had to be contended with for several years past. It is to be deeply regretted that the better provision for technical education in the colony which has been spoken of in every session of the Parliament which has just expired was never accomplished, and it is to be hoped that the new Parliament will address itself effectually to remedying the great inequality that exists in the provision for education in New Zealand, which devotes upwards of £400,000 per annum to primary education and only £2,500 to technical education. Technical education is now recognised at Home, on the Continent, and in America as the most important branch of education, and it is deplorable to think how far New Zealand lags behind those countries and the Australian Colonies in the matter of establishing a thorough system of technical instruction. It is especially deplorable that in the City of Auckland its technical school should be reduced to such a state that its continuance for the last few years has been only maintained by doles dealt out by the Government. The Council hope that this is the last time they will have to draw attention to the neglect of technical education, and trust that in the coming session of the new Parliament it will be placed in that pecuniary position that its importance demands. The thanks of the Council are due to the Government for undertaking to maintain the Auckland Technical School until suitable provision shall be made for that branch of education by the new Parliament in the ensuing session. G. Maubicb O'Eoeke, President.

Successes at Examinations. City and Guilds of London Institute. —Plumbers' work, practical, honours grade, two. Science and Art Department. —Geometrical drawing, two; freehand drawing (elementary), three; model-drawing (advanced), one; freehand (advanced), four; light and shade (advanced), one; model-drawing (elementary), three; mathematics, one. Certificates were obtained by one student in machine construction and drawing, and by five in building construction.